‘West Indies – a betrayal of efforts of Caribbean people’

The Brian Lara led West Indies Cricket team is a betrayal of the efforts of the Caribbean people – a let down considering the US $750 million spent by the CARICOM governments to host the tournament.

“They have been a let down and have played as though they have no commitment,” said Dr Gonsalves who stated that his comments were not made in his capacities as Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines or Caricom Chairman but as a lover of cricket.{{more}}

“This can’t be the best they have to offer,” Dr Gonsalves said.

He said that while he did not want to comment on any individual, that leadership must not only inspire but draw out the abilities in others that might have been unknown to the persons themselves.

Dr Gonsalves, speaking at a press conference to update the nation about his recent trip to Guyana, where he visited the Caricom secretariat, pleaded with the team to lift their game.

“To say that I am let down is putting it mildly,” he said.

He said that the region deserved better and expected more out of the team.

The West Indies, after breezing through the first round where they topped their group, beating Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland, have become a shameful looking unit.

Unable to bat pass 45 overs in any of their Super Eight matches, the West Indies has looked flat, uninspired and Brian Lara’s leadership has been apathetic in nature from the account of many cricket pundits.

An old fashioned butt kicking by 113 runs by Australia on March 27 was followed on March 29th by a spanking by power house New Zealand. And on April 1, a 113-run whipping by Sri Lanka compounded the misery.

“I thought it was an April’s fool joke,” said Dr Gonsalves